Founding partners of The Joester Loria Group named to LIMA Licensing Hall of Fame

Popular licensing agents Debra Joester (pictured) and Joanne Loria, co-founding partners of The Joester Loria Group, are to be inducted into the LIMA Licensing Industry Hall of Fame.

The duo will be honoured at the annual LIMA Awards ceremony on June 17th, during Licensing Expo 2014.

Joester, the company's president and CEO, and Loria, its EVP and COO, are recognised as visionaries who have continually broken new ground in the licensing business. They have presided over numerous successful, award winning global brand extensions and breakthrough initiatives for some of the world's most recognisable brands and emerging trends.

The agency's achievements include LIMA awards for Jeep as Corporate Brand of the Year in 2004, 2006 and 2008; American Greetings' Care Bears, which won four LIMA awards including Best Character Brand of the Year in 2004; Animal Planet as LIMA Corporate Brand of the Year in 2010; and Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, named 2012 Art Brand of the Year.

"Only the most accomplished and respected industry professionals are recognised via induction into the Licensing Industry Hall of Fame, and both Debra and Joanne are among the most deserving," said Charles Riotto, LIMA president. "Standout professionals and a powerful duo who together have built an influential and enterprising team, Debra and Joanne have a long and successful history of shaping winning licensing programmes for renowned brands and consumer products companies.

"We are delighted to honour them with this well deserved recognition."